Russian dresses

Posted Jul 2, 2009 at 11:51 CEST in Fashion, Paintings, and Photos.

[Image]
Empress Maria Feodorovna by Voille, 1792.

I’ve been fascinated by Russian dresses of the late 18th century for a while. They have a pretty unusual style and are very beautiful. A lot of them seem pretty similar to the robe à la turque to me, with the “t-shirt” arms, but some seem to have a kind of vest, and the court dress I saw at the Fastes de cour exhibition had yet another vest-like style that I realised looks a bit different to all of these portraits when I looked at the pictures together.

Does anyone know if there are any books on 18th century Russian dress? Though preferably not in Russian :)

Empress Maria Feodorovna.

[Image]
1796.

Empress Maria Feodorovna by Voille, 1790s.

[Image]
Sofia Vladimirovna Panina by Voille, 1791.

Emperor Pavel I’s Daughters by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, 1796.

Empress Maria Feodorovna by Johann-Baptist I. After a 1796 painting by Lampi.

Grand duchess Yelena Pavlovna as a child by Jean Louis Voille, 1792.

Grand duchess Yelena Pavlovna by Vladimir Lukich Borovikovsky, 1796.

The court dress at Fastes de cour.

12 comments on “Russian dresses”

Ituri

A very interesting site, I love the paintings, especially the two daughters of the Emperor.

I would like to find a modern, Russian style ball gown for my significant other, but I’ve had tons of trouble finding sources. Its all prom dresses for young hookers, nothing quality or creative. Would you have any suggestions?

Thanks much, its appreciated! ~Ituri

Sep 8, 2009 at 09:45 CEST

Johanna, johannaost.com

Thanks!

I’m afraid I have no idea, I know nothing of Russian fashion past the 18th century :)

Oct 21, 2009 at 08:32 CEST

K

Regarding your quest for 18th Russian fashion, have you seen the book “The Empire’s New Clothes” by Christine Ruane?

Oct 21, 2009 at 12:50 CEST

Johanna, johannaost.com

Thanks for the tip! I haven’t seen it.

Oct 21, 2009 at 13:02 CEST

Alexandra

Very good book about extant costumes in Hrmitage : Costume in Russia, from 18 th century to 20 th century, from the Hermitage collection.
This book has english edition too.
Alexandra

Mar 8, 2010 at 00:07 CET

Fyodor, odin-za-vseh.livejournal.com

Hey, I was just going through this lovely blog for inspiration photos and found this old entry. I don’t have any book recommendations, but if it helps any, it looks like 18th century Russian fashion was, despite the Westernization, still quite influenced by the traditional folkwear. The vests look very similar in design to the traditional Russian dress - sarafan:

http://www.maxuta.com/maxuta/collections/009_russ…

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5…

Sarafans and kokoshinks (the traditional headdress in the first picture) were quite important in all stages of fashion - in the court of Nicholas I they were even required for ladies-in-waiting: http://www.kvassociates.net/picture/empress%20ale…

So, I don’t know for sure, but I think it’s a good bet that these styles are the stylish variation on the traditional folkwear.

Mar 8, 2010 at 11:55 CET

Johanna, johannaost.com

Thank you for the insight! They do look pretty similar. The headdress in that last painting by the way looks very similar to the bridal head wear of my town’s traditional dress.